Judy Li Wen

Judy Li Wen, a beautiful and loving matriarch with a great sense of fun, died on Feb. 22, 2023. She was 94.

Born in Hunan province, China, Mrs. Wen was a longtime resident of East Lansing Michigan, where her late husband, Robert Wen, was a civil engineering professor at MSU since 1958. The couple left Michigan in 2014 to live next door to their oldest son, Arthur Wen, in Sunnyvale, CA.

Mrs. Wen undoubtedly would say her greatest accomplishment was raising three children who she was deeply proud of and adored. She also enjoyed her identity as the Grandma who made delicious foods, such as Chinese spareribs, Christmas turkey, Rice Crispy treats, and pecan pie.

She was primarily a homemaker, but she also spent a number of years performing accounting work, including at the former Knapp's department store in Lansing. She received many accolades from her supervisors for her outstanding work. She also took up traditional Chinese painting later in life, and uncovered a remarkable artistic talent. She produced inspiring paintings that adorn her childrens' homes to this day.

Mrs. Wen was eternally youthful, both in her age-defying smooth skin and in her spirit. She accumulated many beloved friends over the years in tennis leagues as well as bridge and Mahjong groups. She was a loyal MSU Spartan fan. She loved watching T.V. game shows, even once traveling to Boston after receiving a free ticket to watch an episode of "Wheel of Fortune" being filmed there.

She enjoyed traveling, including winter vacations to warm places like Costa Rica, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, as well as trips to visit her homeland, including for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

As she entered her mid-80s, memory issues began to affect her, and after turning 90, she also had a stroke that affected her mobility. Despite the challenges caused by this, Mrs. Wen handled her impairments with exceptional grace. She also did not lose her sense of humor.

While hospitalized after her stroke, a nurse approached Mrs. Wen testing for cognitive damage and asked, "How old are you?" Mrs. Wen replied, "That's such a rude question."

She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Arthur Wen and Anne Marie Bevolden Wen of Sunnyvale, CA; Patricia Wen and Robert Ullmann of Brookline, Mass.; and Marco Wen and Suzanne Lacross of Mercer Island, WA. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Stephanie Ullmann, Katherine Ullmann Durham, and David Ullmann; Sheng-Li and Michael Wen, and Audrey, Olivia and Nathan Wen, and two great-granddaughters, Maya Durham and Margot Durham. She was predeceased by her husband, and by her daughter-in-law, Vickie Wen.

Mrs. Wen is also survived by four sisters and one brother.

Family services are being held to honor her, and Mrs. Wen will be buried on March 11, 2023 at Forest Hills cemetery in Boston, near where her daughter lives. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice or to UNICEF USA to honor Mrs. Wen's concern for vulnerable children.